Governor's Office for Local DevelopmentGOVERNOR FLETCHER ANNOUNCES $150,000 RENAISSANCE ON MAIN GRANT TO CITY OF LEBANON

Press Release Date:

Wednesday, October 10, 2007

Contact Information:

Lanny BrannockPublic Information Officer1-800-346-5606

City will build multi-purpose downtown pavilion

FRANKFORT, Ky. – Governor Ernie Fletcher today announced a $150,000 Renaissance on Main grant to the city of Lebanon to fund the construction of a multi-purpose pavilion in Lebanon’s downtown historic district.

“The plans for this pavilion show a true vision for economic development in downtown Lebanon,” said Governor Fletcher. “Not only will the pavilion be a cornerstone for economic development, it will provide a setting for multiple events and activities that draw people downtown.”

The funds will be used to convert a vacant, quarter-acre lot on Martin Luther King Avenue into a shopping and entertainment area. The Main Street Pavilion will be a public space with a covered structure, restrooms and public parking.

“Downtown Lebanon is poised for a bright future with the addition of the pavilion,” said Sen. Dan Kelly (R-Springfield). “The new construction will create job opportunities and will serve as an economic driver downtown.”

The L-shaped, 22-foot-tall, wooden, open-air structure will cover 5,070 square feet and serve several purposes. It will have handicapped accessible restrooms, demonstration areas and 18 booths. The pavilion will be used for a farmer’s market, concerts, art fairs and exhibits and provide a venue for downtown entertainment. Officials in Lebanon have plans to acquire additional property upon completion of the pavilion project to further connect it to Main Street.

“As a business owner in Lebanon, I’m excited for new economic development opportunities for our town and our citizens,” said Rep. Jimmy Higdon (R-Lebanon). “The pavilion is a great concept and will become an economic anchor for downtown.”

The structure will be made of wooden pillars, with a concrete floor and a red tile roof that will be reminiscent of a 19th century railroad depot. Cost of the project will be approximately $232,500.

Renaissance on Main rewards communities that take steps to revitalize and maintain vibrant, economically sound development in Kentucky’s downtown areas. The program partners with the Kentucky Heritage Council/Main Street Program, Kentucky Department of Tourism, Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, Kentucky League of Cities, Kentucky Housing Corp., Federal Home Loan Bank of Cincinnati and the Governor’s Office for Local Development, which administers the program. For information, visit www.gold.ky.gov.